ENGLISH
AMERICAN LITERATURE
1 semester Elective or required Grades 11-12 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
By reading American literature students will discover universal ideas that may affect them directly, will relate the actions of people to the influence of their environment and will study problems unique to American society. Some of the authors included are Twain, Thurber, Frost, Wright and Steinbeck.
Annual
2 semesters Elective Grades 12 2 credits
Prerequisite: Composition I with a grade no lower than a B or Instructor's approval.
Annual includes a complete study of journalistic writing from interviewing to writing a story. Students will also have the opportunity to study graphic layout computer type setting and photography. Students are responsible for the production of the school yearbook both during school and outside the regular school day. Some colleges do not count Annual as an English credit.
THEMES IN LITERATURE
1 semester Elective or required Grades 11-12 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Themes in Literature students will examine the role of the hero, protest and propaganda literature and the individual's search for identity. Among the novels featured are: Catch-22, Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, Johnny Got His Gun, Animal Farm, and A Separate Place.
WORLD LITERATURE
1 semester Elective or required Grades 11-12 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
This is a literature course especially recommended for the college-bound which will include representative works in English Literature as well as European and Russian writers. Some of the works include Macbeth, Lord of the Flies, The Loved One, The Mouse That Roared and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
INDIVIDUALIZED READING
1 Semester Elective Grade 12 1 credit
Prerequisite: Course open only to those who have completed two or more literature courses or received a "B+" in one literature course and teacher approval.
Individualized Reading is for students who enjoy reading and wish to widen their interests and improve comprehension and speed. The work is consistent with a student's ability, interests and needs with emphasis on conferences with the teacher.
COMPOSITION I
1 semester Required Grade 11 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Composition I is a structured writing course designed to familiarize the student with essential writing techniques. Some of the areas that are included: expository writing, including narration, argumentation, description, etc.; editing techniques; and an I-Search paper (interview-based reasearch paper).
COMPOSITION II
1 semester Elective Grade 12 1 credit
Prerequisite: Composition I with a grade no lower than B and instructor's approval
Composition II is a course in advanced writing skills designed for college-bound students with emphasis on polishing their writing in use of detail, language usage and patterns of development. Also included are units in creative writing, writing critiques, essays and an I-search paper (interview-based research paper).
ENGLISH 9
2 semesters Required Grade 9 2 credits
Ninth grade English integrates the teaching of grammar into the writing process as a means for diagnosing, evaluating and rewriting. In addition, the reading program takes a thematic approach in focusing on the concept of "reading to learn" and to record and communicate a student's intellectual and emotional life. This integrated approach will enable students to meet the following objectives:
1. To understand that what adventure is to one person depends upon one's self image.
2. To escape from the common place and vicariously to enjoy the experiences of others.
3. To see that life in itself is a series of adventures.
4. To provide a background for writing.
5. To establish the concepts of suspense, conflict, foreshadowing and imaginative language as applied to narrative writing.
6. To develop vocabulary and spelling.
BASIC ENGLISH 9
2 semester Required Grade 9 2 credits
The program outlined above will be modified to meet the individual needs and abilities of students scheduled for this class.
ENGLISH 10
2 semesters Required Grade 10 2 credits
English 10 emphasizes learning the fundamentals of literary types: short story; novel; poetry; drama; and nonfiction. Also included are basic units in medieval tales, mass media, and various writing forms.
BASIC ENGLISH 10
BASIC ENGLISH 11
2 semesters Required Grades 10-11 2 credits
These courses are practical communications courses for students who have been recommended by former teachers, administrators, or counselors. These courses meet requirements for graduation. They are concerned with helping students improve their reading skills, writing, speaking and listening skills.
SPEECH
1 semester Elective Grades 9-12 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Speech is a one semester course designed to help students in any curriculum develop skills in informal and formal speaking. Emphasis is on the organizing and delivery of various types of public speaking. Informative speaking, persuasive speaking, radio and TV, discussion groups and interpretation are included. This is basically a performance class.
DRAMATIC ANALYSIS
1 semester Elective Grades 10-12 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to increase skills and knowledge of drama literature and theater interpretation. Written research on history of theater is required. Play analysis on contemporary plays is covered. Acting assignments may include pantomime, role playing, character development, directing a scene, applying make up and/or involvement in a children's play.
NOTE: The University of Northern Iowa does NOT count Dramatic Analysis as an English course.
PRINT MEDIA
1 semester Elective Grades 12 1 credit
Prerequisite: "B" average or higher in Composition I and teacher approval
Print Media is an elective course that studies the reporting of news. Emphasis is on print media. Course work involves the development of a school newspaper, Osage Spectrum. Articles are prepared using computer word processing program. Layout work at the Press News is also part of the class. Areas of study: newspaper writing/reporting, development of school newspaper and workbook assignments over newspaper projects.
NOTE: NCAA does not count this class as a core class.